PLA and the consolidation of power

• Communist control was increased through the reunification campaign, helped Mao increase prestige whilst intimidating opponents with military accomplishments in the Korean War
• Conscription in 1955
• PLA known as 'big university' as it was where people learnt to read and write
• In each of the regions there were
• - Government Chairman
• - First Party Secretary
• - Military Commander
• - Army Political Commissar
• The fact that their were 2 roles for the military to fill helped to consolidate the PLA's power